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Ultimarc purchase help
mr_doles:
I am ready to spend some of my Christmas money at Ultimarc and have few quick questions. I want to have a 2 player, 6 button, plus trackball layout. I will have a player 1/2 start, player 1/2 coin and want a physical esc button (no shifting), which means an encoder. My plan was 2 UltraStick 360s with the 6 action buttons on each. An encoder with the start buttons, credit buttons, esc button and pause button. And finally the u-trak with bezel (extra special thanks to blind_dado for his great review)
I want to make sure what I buy can do what I need but not buy more then I need. There are so many options that it makes my head spin (I-pac, Min-Pac, USB, direct connect, etc). Can someone help me put together what I need so I don't over/under spend?
On a side note I bought 1 UltraStick already and had 2 questions. First off does anyone else have an issue with the oval top coming unscrewed very easily? It is always coming undone while I am playing. Second there was what looks like a washer in the box that I have no idea what it is for. The stick seems to be working so I don't know if I need it for something. I have attached a picture, it is small so sorry about the quality.
wachin:
To answer your side question, I think that washer and your loose oval top handle go hand in hand. If you unscrew the handle completely, I think that washer fits right down the shaft then then handle screws down over it. That should help with your oval top issue.
ivwshane:
If you go with two u360's then you don't need any encoders just get two usb wiring harnesses from him.
U360 (p1) will support up to 8 buttons, so your p1 six buttons and p1 start and coin will be covered.
U360 (p2) will support up to 8 buttons, so your p2 six buttons and p2 start and coin will be covered.
I don't know about about the ultimarc trackball but if you go with an electric ice track ball, it supports three buttons itself which would cover your exit button.
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=270
With that setup your wiring would be super easy and super clean.
Blanka:
Normaly the minipac is perfect for 2 player layouts, a trackball and a spinner. Do you really need the 360-s? Or just one maybe?
I like a double fighter layout+trackball+spinner on the minipac and a separate 360 for analog and 2/way 4/way games.
mr_doles:
--- Quote from: wachin on January 09, 2009, 09:36:05 pm ---To answer your side question, I think that washer and your loose oval top handle go hand in hand.
--- End quote ---
That it does! :banghead:. Thank you so much.
--- Quote from: Blanka on January 10, 2009, 01:28:46 am ---Do you really need the 360-s? Or just one maybe?
--- End quote ---
If it was not for the fact that I bought 1 u360 I would consider that, but I use a few different emulators and the 360 works flawlessly for them all. I love this thing. Now while the second player will not see much action it is worth the extra money for the few times that my buddies try to play a game and it works right off the bat.
So looks like
Option 1: U-Trak ($89) + Bezel ($5) + Mini-PAC Opti ($69) = $163
Option 2: Electric ICE-T Trackball ($116.95) + Trackball Install Kit ($8.95) = $125.90
Option 3: U-Trak ($89) + Bezel ($5) + Opti-PAC Opti ($39) + Trackball Adaptor Harness for Opti-PAC ($3) = $136
Option 4: Trackball 2 1/4in Without Cables ($48) + Trackball Mounting Plate ($16) + Mini-PAC Opti ($69) = $133
With these options do I need to add anything else, or did I add some I don't need? I was a little confused on the Mini-PAC standard vs Opti and if I can use the Opti-PAC for buttons. I do like the thought of one store ordering to save on shipping, as I need to get some stuff from Ultimarc anyway. All this confusion for 1 extra button :'(.
Any opinions?